Early childhood educator salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
Understand the early childhood educator salary in Australia, including award rates, the ECEC Worker Retention Payment, and how pay compares to the national salary index.
An early childhood educator's salary typically sits between index 54 and 71, depending on qualifications and the retention payment.
Where the early childhood educator salary sits on the Australian salary index
When people search for an "early childhood educator salary" in Australia, they usually want to know what a typical educator or teacher earns and how that compares to other jobs. The answer depends on qualifications, the type of service, and whether the employer receives the government's Worker Retention Payment. This guide explains the key pay rates and where they fall on the Salary Index, which measures annual gross pay against the national line of 100 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
Award coverage and the Worker Retention Payment
Most early childhood educators are covered by either the Children's Services Award 2010 or the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020. In December 2024, the Fair Work Commission approved the Early Childhood Education and Care Multi-Employer Agreement 2024-26, which applies to many employers and sets minimum rates that include the government's ECEC Worker Retention Payment. This payment provides a 15% above-award wage increase, phased as 10% from December 2024 and an additional 5% from December 2025. Eligible workers must be paid at least these increased rates.
For a Children's Services employee (such as an educator with a Certificate III or Diploma), the standard rate under the agreement from December 2024 is $1,135.82 per week, annualising to about $59,063. That gives a salary index of 54.5, well above the national minimum wage index of 48.2 ($52,255 per year). For an Early Childhood Teacher (degree-qualified), the standard rate is $77,053 per year, index 71.1. This is below the average for all women in full-time work (index 92.8) but above the national minimum.
Hourly rates from March 2026
From 1 March 2026, the Children's Services Award classification system was simplified following the Fair Work Commission's gender undervaluation review. The Department of Education's minimum rates table shows that a Qualified Educator (Level 3) must be paid at least $32.34 per hour, which includes the retention payment component. A full-time educator at that rate working 38 hours a week for 52 weeks would earn about $63,900, index 59.0. Support workers at Level 1.1 start at $28.69 per hour, annualising to about $56,700, index 52.3.
These are minimums. Many employers, especially in high-cost states, pay above award to attract and retain staff. The pay guides on this site can help you compare rates across different awards and agreements.
How the salary index works
The how the index works page explains that the index is your yearly gross salary divided by the national line ($108,352) multiplied by 100. An index of 100 means you earn the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. An index below 100 means below average; above 100 means above average. For example, an early childhood teacher on $77,053 has an index of 71.1, meaning they earn about 71% of the national average.
State and industry comparisons
Salaries for early childhood educators can vary by state. The states page shows that Western Australia has a higher index (106.9) and Tasmania lower (88.6). Educators in WA may command higher pay due to a tighter labour market. The Education and Training industry index is 105.5, but that includes all education workers, not just early childhood. Early childhood educators typically sit below that industry average.
Superannuation and tax
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% from 1 July 2026 on top of the salary. For an educator earning $59,063, that adds about $7,088 to the total employment cost. Take-home pay after tax and Medicare levy (2%) for a resident with the tax-free threshold is roughly $47,500 for the $59,063 salary and $60,500 for the $77,053 salary, assuming no other deductions or offsets. These are estimates only.
Summary
The early childhood educator salary in Australia ranges from about index 54 to 71 for minimum rates under the current agreement, with higher pay possible for experienced teachers or in areas with labour shortages. The Worker Retention Payment has lifted wages significantly above award levels, but the sector still pays below the national average. For a personalised comparison, use the topics section to explore related roles and awards.
Questions people ask
What is the average early childhood educator salary in Australia?
There is no single average because salaries vary by qualification and role. Under the Early Childhood Education and Care Multi-Employer Agreement, a Children's Services employee (e.g., educator with Certificate III) receives at least $1,135.82 per week from December 2024, annualising to about $59,063. An Early Childhood Teacher (degree-qualified) receives at least $77,053 per year. Both figures include the 15% above-award Worker Retention Payment. Many employers pay above these minimums.
How does the ECEC Worker Retention Payment affect early childhood educator salaries?
The Worker Retention Payment is a government-funded wage increase of 15% above applicable award rates, phased in as 10% from December 2024 and an additional 5% from December 2025. Eligible educators in Centre-Based Day Care or Outside School Hours Care services must be paid at least these increased rates. The payment is tied to a compliant workplace instrument, such as the Early Childhood Education and Care Multi-Employer Agreement.
What is the salary index for an early childhood educator?
The salary index compares annual gross pay to the national line of 100, which is $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A Children's Services employee on the minimum retention payment rate earns about $59,063, giving an index of 54.5. An Early Childhood Teacher on the minimum earns about $77,053, index 71.1. These are below the national average for all full-time workers (index 100) but above the national minimum wage (index 48.2).